Lightning protection for a saltwater storage battery

ABSTRACT

A lightning protection system can include a storage battery comprising at least one tank, a pressure control valve coupled to the storage battery, a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the storage battery, and a controller communicatively coupled to the vacuum pump that executes a lightning protection application that modulates the vacuum pump to draw a vacuum within the storage battery.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/888,869 filed on Aug. 19, 2019 and entitled “LIGHTNING PROTECTION FORA SALTWATER STORAGE BATTERY”, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Saltwater removed from producing wells may desirably be injected intodisposal wells. Such saltwater may be loaded into tank trucks, truckedto a saltwater disposal well, off-loaded into a saltwater storagebattery (e.g., one or more tanks), and then pumped out of the storagebattery to be injected into a disposal well. The saltwater in thestorage battery typically is retained initially in a settling tank topromote separation of saltwater, oil, and gas. The separated oil may berecovered and brought to market. The separated saltwater may be pumpedout of the tank and into the ground. The separated gas may be vented tothe atmosphere or compressed and stored for recovery and brought tomarket.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in orderto provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems andmethods described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview. Itis intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the systemsand/or methods nor delineate the scope of the systems and/or methods.Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In some embodiments, a lightning protection system can include a storagebattery comprising at least one tank, a pressure control valve coupledto the storage battery, a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the storagebattery, and a controller communicatively coupled to the vacuum pumpthat executes a lightning protection application that modulates thevacuum pump to draw a vacuum within the storage battery.

In some embodiments, a lightning protection system controller caninclude a processor, a non-transitory memory, and a lightning protectionapplication stored in the non-transitory memory. The lightningprotection application, when executed by the processor, configures theprocessor to receives a lightning activity signal from a lightningactivity sensing system, in response to the lightning activity signal,turns on a vacuum pump, receives a pressure signal from a pressuresensor associated with a storage battery, and modulates the vacuum pumpbased on the pressure signal to draw a vacuum on a storage battery.

In some embodiments, a method of protecting a saltwater disposal wellstorage battery can include receiving a lightning activity signal from alightning activity sensing system, based on the lightning activitysignal, turning on a vacuum pump that is fluidly coupled to a saltwaterdisposal well storage battery, receiving a pressure signal from apressure sensor associated with the saltwater disposal well storagebattery, modulates the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal tomaintain a predefined pressure associated with the saltwater disposalwell storage battery, and preventing an escape of gases from thesaltwater disposal well storage battery in response to maintaining thepredefined pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, referenceis now made to the following brief description, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein likereference numerals represent like parts.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary saltwater storage batteryaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away view of an exemplary saltwater storage batteryaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a protection system coupled to an exemplarysaltwater storage battery according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of details of a protection system according toan embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a computer system according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrativeimplementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, thedisclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number oftechniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. Thedisclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrativeimplementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may bemodified within the scope of the appended claims along with their fullscope of equivalents.

The storage battery may have one or more pressure control valves thatopen to exhaust gas from inside the storage tanks composing the storagebattery to the atmosphere when excess pressure builds (for example, asadditional fluid is introduced into a storage tank when off-loading atank truck) or to intake air from the atmosphere to relieve vacuum on astorage tank when pumping off fluids. A problem can result whenhydrocarbon gas is exhausted to the atmosphere during a lightning storm.Under this circumstance, a spark may ignite the hydrocarbon gas as itexhausts through the pressure control valve, the flame may propagatethrough the pressure control valve into the interior of the storagetank, and the hydrocarbon gas inside the storage tank may ignite causingthe storage tank to rupture and/or explode. While these storagebatteries at saltwater disposal wells may be remote from humansettlements, this kind of incident causes expensive damage, interfereswith disposal of saltwater waste, and potentially causes release ofhazardous materials and/or pollution. A need exists, therefore, forreducing risk of lightning triggered destruction of saltwater storagebatteries.

The present disclosure teaches a system of activating a vacuum pump, anddrawing a vacuum on the saltwater storage battery, which can occur insome embodiments in response to receiving an indication of and/orsensing a potential electrostatic discharge (e.g., lightning storm). Asused herein, the term “vacuum” refers to a pressure below atmosphericpressure. This below atmospheric pressure in the saltwater storagebattery prevents gas from escaping from the saltwater storage battery,thereby significantly reducing the risk that an electrostatic discharge(e.g., lightning) may ignite hydrocarbon laden gas proximate to thesaltwater storage battery. While discussion herein refers to lightning,it is noted that electrostatic discharge sparks can be created in othercircumstances that do not involve lightning. It is further noted thatflowing saltwater into fiberglass storage tanks is often associated withbuilding up a static charge in the vicinity of the saltwater storagebattery.

In some embodiments, a series of saltwater storage tanks composing astorage battery are fluidly coupled to a common vent system, for examplevia pipes or conduits connected to a top of each of the tanks. Theinterconnection of the tanks via these pipes results in equalization ofpressure among the tanks while also providing a fluid flow path betweentanks. Pressure control valves may be installed at two or more pointsalong the pipes, thereby providing pressure relief redundancy. In someembodiments, the pressure control valves can be associated with thetanks themselves, and the conduits can provide the fluid pathway to agas space in the tanks that can then rely on the pressure control valvesassociated with the tanks (e.g., as opposed to pressure control valveson the conduit itself). Since the pressure can be equalized among thetanks and in the pipes, any single pressure control valve serves thepurpose of venting excess internal pressure to the atmosphere andintaking air from the atmosphere in the instance of an excessiveinternal vacuum. In current practice, storage tanks composing asaltwater storage battery may not be fluidly coupled in this way, and ifa pressure control valve installed in one storage tank fails, thestorage tank may crumple if a vacuum develops within the tank. Thecoupling of two or more saltwater storage tanks to a common vent systemprovided with two or more pressure control valves can reduce the numberof pressure control valves installed in a multi-tank saltwater storagebattery while still providing redundancy and reduced risk of tankcollapse.

In an embodiment, a lightning protection system controller and a vacuumpump can be installed at a saltwater storage battery. The controller canbe in communication with a lightning activity sensing system that senseslocal static electric charge conditions and sends a lightning activitysignal to the controller. In embodiments, the lightning activity sensingsystem is in wireless communication with the lightning protection systemcontroller and sends the signal to a radio receiver or transceiver ofthe lightning protection system controller. This lightning activitysignal may comprise a numeric value—for example a number in the range 1to 10 or 0 to 10 or a number in the range 1 to 100 or 0 to 100 or someother numeric range. Alternatively, the lightning activity signal maycomprise a binary value, an active/not active value. In someembodiments, the controller can receive a signal from an external source(e.g., a remote control center, a weather service, etc.) to provide anindication that the protection system should be engaged. Again, whilethis description refers to lightning, it is noted that the more generalphenomenon is static electric charge build-up and discharge through anelectric spark.

When the lightning activity sensing system sends a signal indicatingconditions are suitable for a lightning strike and/or a spark discharge,the controller switches on electric power to the vacuum pump andmodulates the operation of the vacuum pump to draw a suitable pressurevacuum on the interior of the saltwater storage battery. This pressurevacuum prevents gas in the interior of the storage battery from ventingdirectly to the atmosphere from a pressure control valve proximate tothe storage battery, thereby reducing the risk of a flame propagatinginto the storage battery and causing an explosion. When the lightningactivity sensing system sends a signal indicating conditions are notsuitable for a lightning strike and/or a spark discharge, the controllerswitches of electric power to the vacuum pump. In this way, the vacuumpump may only be energized when it is desirable to mitigate the risk ofa lightning strike or electrostatic discharge spark igniting gas ventedby the storage battery, and this typically is a small portion of thetime. By selectively energizing the vacuum pump, electricity can beconserved and wear and tear on the vacuum pump can be reduced.

Gas that is drawn from the storage battery to the vacuum pump can bevented a safe distance away from the storage battery so that even if alightning strike or other static electric spark ignites the vented gas,this ignition or explosion will not propagate to the storage battery. Inan embodiment, the controller and the vacuum pump are located a safedistance from the storage battery. In an embodiment, the controller andthe vacuum pump are located at least 25 feet (7.1 meters) and less than1000 feet (300.5 meters) away from the storage battery. In anembodiment, the controller and the vacuum pump are located at least 50feet (15.2 meters) and less than 1000 feet (300.5 meters) away from thestorage battery. In an embodiment, the controller and the vacuum pumpare located at least 100 feet (30.5 meters) and less than 500 feet (152meters) away from the storage battery. In an embodiment, the controllerand the vacuum pump are located at least 150 feet (45.7 meters) and lessthan 500 feet (152 meters) away from the storage battery.

The saltwater storage battery may comprise a pressure sensor coupled tothe pipes and/or to an interior of one or more tank towards the top ofthe tank. The pressure sensor may send a pressure signal to thecontroller that the controller uses to modulate the vacuum pump tomaintain the differential pressure inside the storage battery withindesirable limits. The pressure sensor may send the pressure signal via awired or wireless (e.g., radio, etc.) signal to the controller.

Turning now to FIG. 1, an example saltwater storage battery 100 isdescribed. In an embodiment, the saltwater storage battery 100 comprisesone or more settling tanks 102, one or more oil tanks 104, and one ormore saltwater storage tanks 106. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the examplesaltwater storage battery 100 comprises two settling tanks 102, two oiltanks 104, and six saltwater storage tanks 106. In other embodiments,however, the saltwater storage battery 100 may have different numbers oftanks 102, 104, 106. In embodiment, the saltwater storage battery 100may comprise a single tank. The battery 100 further comprises a ventpipe network 108 or plumbing that couples the tops of the tanks 102,104, 106 such that the gas pressure inside the tanks 102, 104, 106 isequalized among the tanks 102, 104, 106.

The storage battery 100 further comprises a first pressure control valve110 coupled to the vent pipe network 108 and a second pressure controlvalve 112 coupled to the vent pipe network 108. The pressure controlvalves 110, 112 are configured so that if an excess internal pressuredevelops inside the vent pipe network 108 and/or inside the tanks 102,104, 106 the pressure control valve 110, 112 opens temporarily, allowsgas inside the vent pipe network 108 and/or inside the tanks 102, 104,106 to vent to the atmosphere, thereby decreasing the pressure insidethe vent pipe network 108 and/or the tanks 102, 104, 106 enough that thepressure control valve 110, 112 closes again. In embodiments, thepressure control valve 110, 112 may be configured to open to vent gasfrom the vent pipe network 108 to atmosphere when the pressure insideexceeds a threshold (e.g., about 4 pounds per square inch) pressure.

The pressure control valves 110, 112 are also configured so that if apressure vacuum develops inside the vent pipe network 108 and/or insidethe tanks 102, 104, 106 the pressure control valve 110, 112 openstemporarily, allows atmospheric gas to enter the vent pipe network 108,and thereby reduce the vacuum within the vent pipe network 108 and/orthe tanks 102, 104, 106. In embodiments, the pressure control valve 110,112 may be configured to open to allow atmospheric gas to enter the ventpipe network 108 to atmosphere when the vacuum inside exceeds a vacuumthreshold (e.g., about 0.4 pounds per square inch) pressure (e.g., −0.4PSI differential relative to external pressure). Because the tanks 102,104, 106 are fluidly coupled at their tops by the vent pipe network 108,a single pressure control valve 110, 112 may be sufficient to maintaininternal pressures within desirable ranges depending on the venting flowrates, but providing two or more pressure control valves 110, 112 may bedesirable to provide redundancy in case a pressure control valve failsand/or larger volumetric flow.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a cut-away view of the saltwater storage battery100 is described. The settling tank 102 may store a lower layer ofsaltwater 120, a middle layer of a hydrocarbon such as oil 122, and atop layer of gas 124. When a tank truck initially unloads to thesettling tank 102, the gas and oil may be entrenched or emulsified inthe saltwater but as it rests in the settling tank it may separate outinto layers as described. The gas 124 may comprise hydrocarbon gas thatseparates (e.g., vaporizes, etc.) from the saltwater 120. Plumbing maypromote flowing saltwater 120 from the settling tank 102 to thesaltwater tanks 106. Other plumbing may promote flowing oil 122 from thesettling tank 102 to the oil storage tank 104.

Turning now to FIG. 3, the vent pipe network 108 is shown fluidlycoupled to a protection system 140. Turning now to FIG. 4, furtherdetails of the protection system 140 are described. In embodiments, theprotection system 140 may comprise a lightning protection systemcontroller 150, a vacuum pump 152, a gas exhaust 154, and a flamearrester 156. The lightning protection system controller 150 may be acomputer system. Computer systems are described further hereinafter. Inan embodiment, the lightning protection system controller 150 may beimplemented as a programmable logic controller (PLC). In an embodiment,the lightning protection system controller 150 may be implemented as ananalog controller.

The lightning protection system controller 150 may execute a lightningprotection application or program that receives a lightning activitysignal from a lightning activity sensing system (not shown). When thelightning activity signal exceeds a threshold level or when thelightning activity signal indicates lightning is likely, the lightningprotection application commands the vacuum pump 152 to turn on and drawa vacuum on the vent pipe network 108. When the lightning activitysignal later is less than a threshold level or when the lightningactivity signal indicates lightning is unlikely, the lightningprotection application commands the vacuum pump 152 to turn off, therebyconserving electric power and avoiding wear and tear on the vacuum pump152.

In an embodiment, one or more pressure sensors (not shown) are coupledto the vent pipe network 108 and/or the tops of the tanks 102, 104, 106,and these sensors send a pressure signal to the lightning protectionsystem controller 150. In an embodiment, the sensors may send thepressure signal to the lightning protection system controller 150 via aradio signal to a radio receiver or a radio transceiver of thecontroller 150. The lightning protection application modulates orcontrols the vacuum pump 152 so as to maintain the pressure in the ventpipe network 108 and/or the tanks 102, 104, 106 (based on the pressuresignal received from the pressure sensors) within desirable limits. Bymaintaining a pressure vacuum within the vent pipe network 108 and/orthe tanks 102, 104, 106, gas is prevented from exiting the pressurecontrol valves 110, 112 and therefore the risk of a static electricdischarge (e.g., lightning) igniting gas proximate to the pressurecontrol valves 110, 112 and propagating a flame into the interior of thetanks 102, 104, 106 is much reduced.

The vacuum pump 152 may comprise a pump portion and an electric motorportion. In an embodiment, the electric motor portion may be coupled toa variable frequency drive or to a variable speed drive that controlsthe torque and/or speed output by the electric motor and hence controlsthe amount of vacuum generated by the vacuum pump 152. The vacuum pump152 exhausts via the gas exhaust 154. Because the protection system 140is located separate from the saltwater storage battery 100 (e.g., atleast 25 feet away, at least 50 feet away, or some other safe stand-offdistance away), even if a static electric discharge might ignite gasexhausted via the gas exhaust 154, this would not cause propagation of aflame to an interior of the tanks 102, 104, 106. The flame arrester 156makes it unlikely an ignition of gas exhausted by the gas exhaust 154would move into the lightning protection system 140.

The lightning protection system controller 150 may receive a lightningactivity signal from a variety of systems such as a lightning activitysensing system. The lightning activity sensing system may provide anindication of the likelihood of a lightning strike in the vicinity ofthe tanks. For example, sensors within facility can be used to senselightning strikes within several miles of the facility, and upon sensingthe lighting strikes, generate the lightning activity signal. Othersignals are also present. For example, lighting activity signals canalso be received from remote sources such as weather monitoringservices, weather radars, and the like. A remote connection (e.g.,wired, phone line, wireless, cellular, etc.) can be established with aremote data source to receive the lightning activity signal when aremote sensor or data source is used.

In some embodiments, the lightning protection system controller, cancomprise a processor, a non-transitory memory, and a lightningprotection application stored in the non-transitory memory. Theprocessor, memory, and other components of the controller are describedin more detail with regard to FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the lightningprotection system controller can be a programmable logic controller(PLC).

The lightning protection application can configure the processor toreceive a lightning activity signal, and in response to the lightningactivity signal, turn on a vacuum pump. As noted above, the lightningactivity signal can be provided by a lightning activity sensing systemand/or a remote system such as a weather monitoring system. In someaspects, the lightning protection system controller can comprise a radioreceiver, and the lightning activity signal is received via the radio(e.g., from a remote location). The lightning protection application canalso configure the processor to receive a pressure signal from apressure sensor associated with a storage battery, and modulates thevacuum pump based on the pressure signal to draw a vacuum on a storagebattery. The lightning protection application can modulate the vacuumpump to maintain a pressure vacuum of between about 0.1 to about 2pounds per square inch (psi) of vacuum, or between about 0.2 to about 1psi of vacuum, or about 0.4 psi of vacuum. The pressure signal can bereceived through a wired or wireless (e.g., via a radio receiver, wifinetwork, mesh network, etc.).

Once the presence of risk of lightning is no longer present, thelightning protection application can turn off the vacuum pump. Thelightning activity signal can be used to indicate that the lightning isno longer present, and as a result, the vacuum pump can be turned off inresponse to the lightning activity signal.

The system as described with respect to FIGS. 1-4 can be used with amethod of protecting a saltwater disposal well storage battery. Themethod can start with receiving a lightning activity signal from alightning activity sensing system, as described herein. Based on thelightning activity signal, a vacuum pump that is fluidly coupled to asaltwater disposal well storage battery can be turned on. The vacuumpump can be in fluid communication with the storage tanks in the storagebattery, and the vacuum pump can pull gas from the head space of thestorage tanks, thereby creating a vacuum within the tanks. A pressuresignal from a pressure sensor associated with the saltwater disposalwell storage battery (e.g., with one or more tanks) can then bereceived, and the vacuum pump can be modulated based on the pressuresignal to maintain a predefined pressure associated with the saltwaterdisposal well storage battery. The pressure can include any of thevacuum pressures described herein. In some aspects, modulating thevacuum pump can include varying a variable frequency drive control ofthe vacuum pump. As a result of the creation of the vacuum pressure andmaintaining the predefined pressure, an escape of gases from thesaltwater disposal well storage battery can be prevented.

FIG. 5 illustrates a computer system 380 suitable for implementing oneor more embodiments disclosed herein. The lightning protection systemcontroller 150 may be implemented as a computer system. The computersystem 380 includes a processor 382 (which may be referred to as acentral processor unit or CPU) that is in communication with memorydevices including secondary storage 384, read only memory (ROM) 386,random access memory (RAM) 388, input/output (I/O) devices 390, andnetwork connectivity devices 392. The processor 382 may be implementedas one or more CPU chips.

It is understood that by programming and/or loading executableinstructions onto the computer system 380, at least one of the CPU 382,the RAM 388, and the ROM 386 are changed, transforming the computersystem 380 in part into a particular machine or apparatus having thenovel functionality taught by the present disclosure. It is fundamentalto the electrical engineering and software engineering arts thatfunctionality that can be implemented by loading executable softwareinto a computer can be converted to a hardware implementation bywell-known design rules. Decisions between implementing a concept insoftware versus hardware typically hinge on considerations of stabilityof the design and numbers of units to be produced rather than any issuesinvolved in translating from the software domain to the hardware domain.Generally, a design that is still subject to frequent change may bepreferred to be implemented in software, because re-spinning a hardwareimplementation is more expensive than re-spinning a software design.Generally, a design that is stable that will be produced in large volumemay be preferred to be implemented in hardware, for example in anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), because for largeproduction runs the hardware implementation may be less expensive thanthe software implementation. Often a design may be developed and testedin a software form and later transformed, by well-known design rules, toan equivalent hardware implementation in an application specificintegrated circuit that hardwires the instructions of the software. Inthe same manner as a machine controlled by a new ASIC is a particularmachine or apparatus, likewise a computer that has been programmedand/or loaded with executable instructions may be viewed as a particularmachine or apparatus.

Additionally, after the system 380 is turned on or booted, the CPU 382may execute a computer program or application. For example, the CPU 382may execute software or firmware stored in the ROM 386 or stored in theRAM 388. In some cases, on boot and/or when the application isinitiated, the CPU 382 may copy the application or portions of theapplication from the secondary storage 384 to the RAM 388 or to memoryspace within the CPU 382 itself, and the CPU 382 may then executeinstructions that the application is comprised of. In some cases, theCPU 382 may copy the application or portions of the application frommemory accessed via the network connectivity devices 392 or via the I/Odevices 390 to the RAM 388 or to memory space within the CPU 382, andthe CPU 382 may then execute instructions that the application iscomprised of. During execution, an application may load instructionsinto the CPU 382, for example load some of the instructions of theapplication into a cache of the CPU 382. In some contexts, anapplication that is executed may be said to configure the CPU 382 to dosomething, e.g., to configure the CPU 382 to perform the function orfunctions promoted by the subject application. When the CPU 382 isconfigured in this way by the application, the CPU 382 becomes aspecific purpose computer or a specific purpose machine.

The secondary storage 384 is typically comprised of one or more diskdrives or tape drives and is used for non-volatile storage of data andas an over-flow data storage device if RAM 388 is not large enough tohold all working data. Secondary storage 384 may be used to storeprograms which are loaded into RAM 388 when such programs are selectedfor execution. The ROM 386 is used to store instructions and perhapsdata which are read during program execution. ROM 386 is a non-volatilememory device which typically has a small memory capacity relative tothe larger memory capacity of secondary storage 384. The RAM 388 is usedto store volatile data and perhaps to store instructions. Access to bothROM 386 and RAM 388 is typically faster than to secondary storage 384.The secondary storage 384, the RAM 388, and/or the ROM 386 may bereferred to in some contexts as computer readable storage media and/ornon-transitory computer readable media.

I/O devices 390 may include printers, video monitors, liquid crystaldisplays (LCDs), touch screen displays, keyboards, keypads, switches,dials, mice, track balls, voice recognizers, card readers, paper tapereaders, or other well-known input devices.

The network connectivity devices 392 may take the form of modems, modembanks, Ethernet cards, universal serial bus (USB) interface cards,serial interfaces, token ring cards, fiber distributed data interface(FDDI) cards, wireless local area network (WLAN) cards, radiotransceiver cards, and/or other well-known network devices. The networkconnectivity devices 392 may provide wired communication links and/orwireless communication links (e.g., a first network connectivity device392 may provide a wired communication link and a second networkconnectivity device 392 may provide a wireless communication link).Wired communication links may be provided in accordance with Ethernet(IEEE 802.3), Internet protocol (IP), time division multiplex (TDM),data over cable system interface specification (DOCSIS), wave divisionmultiplexing (WDM), and/or the like. In an embodiment, the radiotransceiver cards may provide wireless communication links usingprotocols such as code division multiple access (CDMA), global systemfor mobile communications (GSM), long-term evolution (LTE), WiFi (IEEE802.11), Bluetooth, Zigbee, narrowband Internet of things (NB IoT), nearfield communications (NFC), radio frequency identity (RFID). The radiotransceiver cards may promote radio communications using 5G, 5G NewRadio, or 5G LTE radio communication protocols. These networkconnectivity devices 392 may enable the processor 382 to communicatewith the Internet or one or more intranets. With such a networkconnection, it is contemplated that the processor 382 might receiveinformation from the network, or might output information to the networkin the course of performing the above-described method steps. Suchinformation, which is often represented as a sequence of instructions tobe executed using processor 382, may be received from and outputted tothe network, for example, in the form of a computer data signal embodiedin a carrier wave.

Such information, which may include data or instructions to be executedusing processor 382 for example, may be received from and outputted tothe network, for example, in the form of a computer data baseband signalor signal embodied in a carrier wave. The baseband signal or signalembedded in the carrier wave, or other types of signals currently usedor hereafter developed, may be generated according to several methodswell-known to one skilled in the art. The baseband signal and/or signalembedded in the carrier wave may be referred to in some contexts as atransitory signal.

The processor 382 executes instructions, codes, computer programs,scripts which it accesses from hard disk, floppy disk, optical disk(these various disk based systems may all be considered secondarystorage 384), flash drive, ROM 386, RAM 388, or the network connectivitydevices 392. While only one processor 382 is shown, multiple processorsmay be present. Thus, while instructions may be discussed as executed bya processor, the instructions may be executed simultaneously, serially,or otherwise executed by one or multiple processors. Instructions,codes, computer programs, scripts, and/or data that may be accessed fromthe secondary storage 384, for example, hard drives, floppy disks,optical disks, and/or other device, the ROM 386, and/or the RAM 388 maybe referred to in some contexts as non-transitory instructions and/ornon-transitory information.

In an embodiment, the computer system 380 may comprise two or morecomputers in communication with each other that collaborate to perform atask. For example, but not by way of limitation, an application may bepartitioned in such a way as to permit concurrent and/or parallelprocessing of the instructions of the application. Alternatively, thedata processed by the application may be partitioned in such a way as topermit concurrent and/or parallel processing of different portions of adata set by the two or more computers. In an embodiment, virtualizationsoftware may be employed by the computer system 380 to provide thefunctionality of a number of servers that is not directly bound to thenumber of computers in the computer system 380. For example,virtualization software may provide twenty virtual servers on fourphysical computers. In an embodiment, the functionality disclosed abovemay be provided by executing the application and/or applications in acloud computing environment. Cloud computing may comprise providingcomputing services via a network connection using dynamically scalablecomputing resources. Cloud computing may be supported, at least in part,by virtualization software. A cloud computing environment may beestablished by an enterprise and/or may be hired on an as-needed basisfrom a third party provider. Some cloud computing environments maycomprise cloud computing resources owned and operated by the enterpriseas well as cloud computing resources hired and/or leased from a thirdparty provider.

In an embodiment, some or all of the functionality disclosed above maybe provided as a computer program product. The computer program productmay comprise one or more computer readable storage medium havingcomputer usable program code embodied therein to implement thefunctionality disclosed above. The computer program product may comprisedata structures, executable instructions, and other computer usableprogram code. The computer program product may be embodied in removablecomputer storage media and/or non-removable computer storage media. Theremovable computer readable storage medium may comprise, withoutlimitation, a paper tape, a magnetic tape, magnetic disk, an opticaldisk, a solid state memory chip, for example analog magnetic tape,compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM) disks, floppy disks, jump drives,digital cards, multimedia cards, and others. The computer programproduct may be suitable for loading, by the computer system 380, atleast portions of the contents of the computer program product to thesecondary storage 384, to the ROM 386, to the RAM 388, and/or to othernon-volatile memory and volatile memory of the computer system 380. Theprocessor 382 may process the executable instructions and/or datastructures in part by directly accessing the computer program product,for example by reading from a CD-ROM disk inserted into a disk driveperipheral of the computer system 380. Alternatively, the processor 382may process the executable instructions and/or data structures byremotely accessing the computer program product, for example bydownloading the executable instructions and/or data structures from aremote server through the network connectivity devices 392. The computerprogram product may comprise instructions that promote the loadingand/or copying of data, data structures, files, and/or executableinstructions to the secondary storage 384, to the ROM 386, to the RAM388, and/or to other non-volatile memory and volatile memory of thecomputer system 380.

In some contexts, the secondary storage 384, the ROM 386, and the RAM388 may be referred to as a non-transitory computer readable medium or acomputer readable storage media. A dynamic RAM embodiment of the RAM388, likewise, may be referred to as a non-transitory computer readablemedium in that while the dynamic RAM receives electrical power and isoperated in accordance with its design, for example during a period oftime during which the computer system 380 is turned on and operational,the dynamic RAM stores information that is written to it. Similarly, theprocessor 382 may comprise an internal RAM, an internal ROM, a cachememory, and/or other internal non-transitory storage blocks, sections,or components that may be referred to in some contexts as non-transitorycomputer readable media or computer readable storage media.

The systems and methods having been described herein, certain aspectscan include, but are not limited to:

In a first aspect, a lightning protection system comprises a storagebattery comprising at least one tank; a pressure control valve coupledto the storage battery; a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to the storagebattery; and a controller communicatively coupled to the vacuum pumpthat executes a lightning protection application that modulates thevacuum pump to draw a vacuum within the storage battery.

A second aspect can include the lightning protection system of the firstaspect, wherein the storage battery is a saltwater storage battery.

A third aspect can include the lightning protection system of the firstor second aspect, wherein the at least one tank comprising fiberglass.

A fourth aspect can include the lightning protection system of any oneof the first to third aspects, wherein the storage battery comprises aplurality of tanks.

A fifth aspect can include the lightning protection system of any one ofthe first to fourth aspects, wherein the storage battery comprises atleast one settling tank, at least one oil storage tank, and at least onesaltwater storage tank.

A sixth aspect can include the lightning protection system of any one ofthe first to fifth aspects, comprising a vent pipe network fluidlycoupled to the storage battery and fluidly coupled to the vacuum pump.

A seventh aspect can include the lightning protection system of any oneof the first to sixth aspects, comprising a pressure sensor fluidlycoupled to the storage battery, wherein the controller modulates thevacuum pump based on a pressure signal received from the pressuresensor.

In an eighth aspect, a lightning protection system controller cancomprise a processor; a non-transitory memory; and a lightningprotection application stored in the non-transitory memory that, whenexecuted by the processor receives a lightning activity signal from alightning activity sensing system, in response to the lightning activitysignal, turns on a vacuum pump, receives a pressure signal from apressure sensor associated with a storage battery, and modulates thevacuum pump based on the pressure signal to draw a vacuum on a storagebattery.

A ninth aspect can include the lightning protection system controller ofthe eighth aspect, wherein the lightning protection system controller isa programmable logic controller (PLC).

A tenth aspect can include the lightning protection system controller ofthe eighth or ninth aspect, wherein the lightning protection applicationmodulates the vacuum pump to maintain a pressure vacuum of about 0.4pounds per square inch.

An eleventh aspect can include the lightning protection systemcontroller of any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, wherein thelightning protection application turns off the vacuum pump in responseto the lightning activity signal.

A twelfth aspect can include the lightning protection system controllerof any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, comprising a radioreceiver, wherein the lightning activity signal is received via theradio.

A thirteenth aspect can include the lightning protection systemcontroller of any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects, comprising aradio receiver, wherein the pressure signal is received via the radio.

In a fourteenth aspect, a method of protecting a saltwater disposal wellstorage battery comprises: receiving a lightning activity signal from alightning activity sensing system; based on the lightning activitysignal, turning on a vacuum pump that is fluidly coupled to a saltwaterdisposal well storage battery; receiving a pressure signal from apressure sensor associated with the saltwater disposal well storagebattery; modulates the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal tomaintain a predefined pressure associated with the saltwater disposalwell storage battery; and preventing an escape of gases from thesaltwater disposal well storage battery in response to maintaining thepredefined pressure.

A fifteenth aspect can include the method of the fourteenth aspect,wherein the lightning activity signal is a numeric value.

A sixteenth aspect can include the method of the fourteenth aspect,wherein the lightning activity signal is an active-non active signal.

A seventeenth aspect can include the method of any one of the fourteenthto sixteenth aspects, comprising based on the lightning activity signal,turning off the vacuum pump.

An eighteenth aspect can include the method of any one of the fourteenthto seventeenth aspects, wherein modulating the vacuum pump comprisesvarying a variable frequency drive control of the vacuum pump.

A nineteenth aspect can include the method of any one of the fourteenthto seventeenth aspects, wherein modulating the vacuum pump comprisesvarying a variable speed drive control of the vacuum pump.

A twentieth aspect can include the method of any one of the fourteenthto nineteenth aspects, wherein the method is performed by a lightningprotection application executing on a lightning protection systemcontroller.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure,it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may beembodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spiritor scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is notto be limited to the details given herein. For example, the variouselements or components may be combined or integrated in another systemor certain features may be omitted or not implemented.

Also, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described andillustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may becombined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, ormethods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating witheach other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through someinterface, device, or intermediate component, whether electrically,mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions,and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could bemade without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lightning protection system, comprising: astorage battery comprising at least one tank; a pressure control valvecoupled to the storage battery; a vacuum pump fluidly coupled to thestorage battery; and a controller communicatively coupled to the vacuumpump that executes a lightning protection application that modulates thevacuum pump to draw a vacuum within the storage battery.
 2. Thelightning protection system of claim 1, wherein the storage battery is asaltwater storage battery.
 3. The lightning protection system of claim1, wherein the at least one tank comprising fiberglass.
 4. The lightningprotection system of claim 1, wherein the storage battery comprises aplurality of tanks.
 5. The lightning protection system of claim 1,wherein the storage battery comprises at least one settling tank, atleast one oil storage tank, and at least one saltwater storage tank. 6.The lightning protection system of claim 1, comprising a vent pipenetwork fluidly coupled to the storage battery and fluidly coupled tothe vacuum pump.
 7. The lightning protection system of claim 1,comprising a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the storage battery,wherein the controller modulates the vacuum pump based on a pressuresignal received from the pressure sensor.
 8. A lightning protectionsystem controller, comprising: a processor; a non-transitory memory; anda lightning protection application stored in the non-transitory memorythat, when executed by the processor receives a lightning activitysignal from a lightning activity sensing system, in response to thelightning activity signal, turns on a vacuum pump, receives a pressuresignal from a pressure sensor associated with a storage battery, andmodulates the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal to draw a vacuumon a storage battery.
 9. The lightning protection system controller ofclaim 8, wherein the lightning protection system controller is aprogrammable logic controller (PLC).
 10. The lightning protection systemcontroller of claim 8, wherein the lightning protection applicationmodulates the vacuum pump to maintain a pressure vacuum of about 0.4pounds per square inch.
 11. The lightning protection system controllerof claim 8, wherein the lightning protection application turns off thevacuum pump in response to the lightning activity signal.
 12. Thelightning protection system controller of claim 8, comprising a radioreceiver, wherein the lightning activity signal is received via theradio.
 13. The lightning protection system controller of claim 8,comprising a radio receiver, wherein the pressure signal is received viathe radio.
 14. A method of protecting a saltwater disposal well storagebattery, comprising: receiving a lightning activity signal from alightning activity sensing system; based on the lightning activitysignal, turning on a vacuum pump that is fluidly coupled to a saltwaterdisposal well storage battery; receiving a pressure signal from apressure sensor associated with the saltwater disposal well storagebattery; modulates the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal tomaintain a predefined pressure associated with the saltwater disposalwell storage battery; and preventing an escape of gases from thesaltwater disposal well storage battery in response to maintaining thepredefined pressure.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the lightningactivity signal is a numeric value.
 16. The method of claim 14, whereinthe lightning activity signal is an active-non active signal.
 17. Themethod of claim 14, comprising based on the lightning activity signal,turning off the vacuum pump.
 18. The method of claim 14, whereinmodulating the vacuum pump comprises varying a variable frequency drivecontrol of the vacuum pump.
 19. The method of claim 14, whereinmodulating the vacuum pump comprises varying a variable speed drivecontrol of the vacuum pump.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein themethod is performed by a lightning protection application executing on alightning protection system controller.